Checkmate (On Hold Until SFT and TSL are completed)

Chapter One: Success

Slowly I withdrew my lavish, glass chess set from the top of my closet, carefully carrying the item of my childhood to the floral, lavender bedspread and placing it gently upon the smoothest mulberry silk money could buy. Sitting gently on the bed, so as not to jostle the delicate playing pieces and board, I crossed my legs beneath me and gathered the pieces, separating the white from the black. 

I then began to methodically place each playing piece in its proper position upon the board, adjusting every piece that was more than a millimeter away from the center of each perfect transparent or opaque square. When the entire board was set, the white pieces directly before me, and the black pieces on the opposite side, I rose cautiously once more, pleased with myself when everything remained in its proper place. 

I withdrew my headset from within my safe, inconspicuously tucked deep within my closet, and placed it on my ear, ascertaining that its voice changing properties were enabled and on the deepest, most guttural setting. Next came my untraceable laptop, from the safe as well, and I turned it on and prepared the voice file. Before I returned to the bed I double checked every item crucial to this maneuver, ensuring nothing went wrong. The mission was still in its incipient stages, and one false move could very well cost me my life. And even if it did, I was more than prepared to make sure it didn't mean theirs too. 

Returning to my bed, I sat cross-legged, and waited. 

Anticipation kept my body tensed, coiled. Like a panther ready to spring upon its prey. But much like a predatory cat lies in wait with shrewd precision, this endeavor would require the utmost patience to unfold favorably. If this attempt was to succeed, it needed to be lead with a clear mind, smoothly and flawlessly. Taking a deep breath and closing my eyes I forced myself to relax. Every doubt, every fear melting away until I was nothing more than a cold, calculating machine. 

Time passed indefinitely, and despite my discomfort remaining in the same position for an extended period time, I scarcely shifted. The ache was easily ignored. After a long while the slow tick of the elaborate clock behind me filled the room, in time with the beating of my heart, once fluttering with excitement and anxiety, now serene and steady. 

I was ready. 

And then my ear gently buzzed, indicating an oncoming call. 

My eyes snapped open and my fingers shot to the button on the side of the headset. "What?" I asked flatly. 

"I'm at the roof top. Everybody is getting into position." Replied a bored female voice. 

"Good, keep me posted. You're the only one I trust to take my place on the field. I want those guards taken out and the cameras down in less than half an hour. Don't screw this up, Artemis." I replied curtly. 

"Ya, sure thing boss." Came her sarcastic, detached voice from the other end. I could practically hear her roll her eyes. With a sigh I withheld my irritation, clicking the button once more to cut off the boisterous sound of the bustling city behind her. This was no time for bickering or retribution, she needed to stay focused and so did I. 

After five years, I knew there was no altering her obstinacy and obnoxious attitude. But with Artemis such things could often be overlooked. I had my reasons for keeping her in my midst, and she knew which of us was the true leader at the end of the day. We had that issue resolved long ago. 

Again I waited, and it wasn't more than fifteen minutes later that she responded, slightly out of breath. I smirked at her determination to impress me. 

"Alright, I went around the perimeter. All the guards are down and the cameras are down."

"Took you long enough. Get Hippolyta and Hercules changed and inside the damn building already before you return to the rooftop." I said emotionlessly.